Bucs Nation
The NFL Draft is over but could more free agent signings occur before training camp?
The NFL Draft brought injected some promising, fresh talent into a Buccaneers roster that was already on the precipice of another NFC Championship last season.
Hopes should be high for this squad, as there doesn’t appear to be many glaring weaknesses on the roster, especially after addressing several key areas with four top 100 draft picks.
That said, there are still some intriguing veterans on the market who the Bucs might explore to further round out the depth chart ahead OTAs and training camp. Let’s take a look at 3 possible names:
The Bucs notably traded Carlton Davis away to the Detroit Lions prior to the draft and then proceeded to pass over the outside corner spot in favor of a nickelback / safety hybrid type player in third-rounder Tykee Smith.
That instills some confidence in Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum as the starters outside, with veteran signee Bryce Hall serving as the primary backup. On the surface, this seems like a fine arrangement, as Dean is one the better corners in the NFL when healthy and McCollum showed some clear improvement in second season last year, while Hall is very solid depth.
However, it cannot be overstated how Dean’s health is a massive “if” — he's missed more than 10 starts in the last 3 years and had to leave several other games early. With him likely missing his inevitable time, you’re then looking at Hall and McCollum with mediocre depth like Josh Hayes (a special teamer), Keenan Isaac, and Quandre Mosley (both practice squad talent).
Exploration of more depth shouldn’t be ruled out, and Jackson is one option that might be intriguing. The 7-year veteran has plentiful experience with 77 career starts, 56 passes defensed, and 4 interceptions. He’s a tad undersized, but he’s not too old (will turn 29 in September) and likely wouldn’t be too expensive as a 1-year flier.
On top of that, he possess some good kick return snaps and could push Deven Thompkins, who’s solid but unremarkable.
The Bucs were reportedly impressed with Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton and felt prepared to select him if Graham Barton got picked earlier. That speaks to the team’s desire for pass rush improvement on the defensive line, which does sport Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey but not much else since Logan Hall has failed to pan out.
The team would be wise to invest in some type of veteran to push Hall more seriously for snaps, and Ogbah would be very intriguing.
Ogbah, 30, has tons of experience in multiple schemes, which should immediately appeal to Todd Bowles and Co. Currently at 6-foot-4, 275 pounds, Ogbah has played heavier and lighter with his hand in the dirt and standing up.
He has also produced everywhere he’s played in 8 professional seasons and 107 career games (71 starts). With 42.5 career sacks, 41 tackles...
